Ever since the Pandemic began, Roblox, an online game platform and game-creation that allows users to program games and play games created by other users have seen a usage surge of 40%. In March, as kids need are forced to find productive activities at home while the lockdown is rampant. And of course, without a doubt, the question “Is Roblox safe for kids?” will surely arise with the number of players playing a game designed for children.
If you are a parent, it is normal for you to be concerned if the game your kids are playing is safe for them, especially since the game boasts a 150 million monthly player count as of late 2020. The game also allows players to communicate with other players, raising concerns about whether the open communication policy is safe for their little ones.
In this article, we will dive into everything concerned with Roblox, its risks, and everything that all of you parents can do to keep your kids safe.
What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online game platform created by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel and was released in 2006. It was first released for Windows but can now be accessed on iOS, Android as well as Xbox. The game is free-to-play with in-game purchases available through a virtual currency called “Robux”.
The game allows users to create and share their 3D games for everyone to play. Once signed up, you can play an infinite number of games made by fellow users for free.
Despite having good reviews from players and critics, the game has faced many criticisms for its moderation, micro transactions, and safety concerns for kids.
How old do you have to be to play Roblox?
Roblox has an ESRB of E10+ for Everyone 10 and up for Fantasy Violence, meaning that it is suitable for most kids. It is also rated by Common Sense Media as a platform suitable for ages 13+ but urges parents to help kids protect themselves by enabling privacy settings and teaching them how to spot a predator and how to report and exploit them.
This is very important as even though most of the children’s interactions are with children too, like any multiplayer platform, some adult predators are lurking there and winning kids’ trust and might cause danger.
Parental Controls on Roblox
Fortunately for parents, there are account controls that they can use to restrict how their kids interact on the website or in any game they play. You can safeguard your kids by controlling who can contact and message them. But these are optional, as kids of any age can create an account without any parental restrictions, but on accounts under the age of 13, Roblox automatically defaults to a more strict setting.
However, these settings made by parents can be changed by kids if there’s no Parent Pin. To prevent this, you need to add your email address to your kid’s account and create a PIN that prevents your children from changing the settings that you made.
How to keep your child safe on Roblox
Besides parental controls, the best thing to keep your child safe is to pay close attention to them while playing. Always remind them to know message anyone they don’t know and never give any personal information.
You can also teach your kids how to spot a dangerous person and tell them to you if ever they feel uncomfortable or not safe. Communication between you and your kid is very important, and you must always check on them on how they are doing in the game.
How Roblox ensures safety within the game
Despite the risks, Roblox reiterated that the game was really intended for kids and teens, and they are fully committed to keeping them safe. The game has a human review team in multiple languages monitoring safety and keeping an eye out for dangerous and malicious behavior on chats.
Also, all chat is filtered, meaning inappropriate language is replaced by hashtag characters, and accounts under 13 have stricter filters wherein using numbers and other personal information are blocked. You also may not send videos or images on chat.
Is Roblox Safe for Kids?
Though there are many risks involved, like any interactive platform, Roblox is a safe space for your kids as long as you pay attention to them while playing and use the tools and settings available in the game. With these in consideration, you can have a peaceful mind knowing that your kids are safe while they are playing and enjoying the comforts of your home.
Are you looking for some codes for your favorite Roblox games? Check it out here!